The Denison Big Red suffered a 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-17) loss to Thiel College in the opening match at the 2009 Otterbein College Cardinal Classic from Westerville, Ohio.

DU was led in kills by Morgan Sturgeon (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne) who ended with six.  Sara Mason (Lakewood, Ohio/Lakewood) had two blocks while Holly Leonard (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Twp.) tallied 15 digs.  Setter Claire Koneval (Solon, Ohio/Solon) paced the Big Red with 24 assists.

Denison will continue play at the Cardinal Classic on Saturday with matches scheduled against Trine University (Ind.) and Otterbein.